Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

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Chalkbeat

Denver Public Schools

'class of 2031'

Colorado
22 hours ago

An earlier start: Once rare, more Denver charter schools are embracing preschool

A growing number of Denver youngsters are attending preschools run by the city's charter schools, including one in the KIPP charter network.

Educator diversity

Colorado
2 days ago

Most Denver students are kids of color. Most teachers are white. That hasn’t changed, despite recent efforts.

“We’re fighting against the perception that Denver is a white ski town."

the race is on

Colorado
September 19, 2017

Stand for Children chooses not to endorse in northeast Denver school board race

The race features incumbent Rachele Espiritu, recent high school graduate Tay Anderson and community organizer and former teacher Jennifer Bacon.

pick a school

Colorado
September 19, 2017

Denver Public Schools making changes to choice process meant to benefit low-income parents

One change: The district plans to roll out a new, mobile-friendly school information website.

Knock knock

Colorado
September 15, 2017

Denver’s ambitious home visit program works to build bridges between parents and teachers

“It really changes the dynamic at school,” one teacher said.

mix and match

Colorado
September 14, 2017

The numbers behind Denver’s “portfolio” of schools: More than half are charter and innovation schools

There are 104 traditional district-run schools and 117 charter and innovation schools this school year, according to a Chalkbeat count.

Uncharted waters

Colorado
September 8, 2017

From passionate to politics-free, here’s how Colorado school districts responded to Trump’s DACA decision

The response shows how school districts view their responsibilities when a divisive national policy change carries implications for many Colorado students and families.

Show of support

Colorado
September 5, 2017

Denver students walk out to protest end of DACA, and to call on Congress to act

“Stand up! Fight back!” the crowd chanted.

Election 2017

Colorado
September 1, 2017

It’s official: Ten candidates in the running for Denver school board

Four of the seven board seats are up for election.

Let’s make a deal

Colorado
September 1, 2017

Denver school district, teachers union reach agreement on contract that includes $1,400 increase to base salary

The deal provides more than the district originally proposed on teacher pay and other issues, but falls short of the union’s most ambitious goals.

dreamers

Colorado
August 31, 2017

Denver schools chief: Removing DACA protections for undocumented immigrants would be ‘catastrophic’

President Trump is expected to roll back protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

How I Teach

Colorado
August 31, 2017

For this first-grade teacher, visiting students at home is part of the job

A Denver first grade teacher talks about why she likes home visits, how she uses classroom technology and what she learned from a set of twins with special needs.

opening a path

Colorado
August 30, 2017

College in high school: More Denver schools offer students affordable head start on a degree

“Our students know early on they have a path to college."

Early literacy

Colorado
August 28, 2017

Upward trend: More of Denver’s youngest students are reading at grade-level

Superintendent Tom Boasberg attributed the progress to a $3.8 million investment last year in early literacy.

Student safety

Colorado
August 25, 2017

South High School student attacked and subjected to racial slurs on public transit bus, Denver Public Schools says

“We are outraged and deeply concerned about this apparently racially motivated attack on one of our students,” Superintendent Tom Boasberg said.

Please come in

Colorado
August 24, 2017

More Colorado charter schools are using weighted lotteries. Here’s why.

More Colorado charter schools are giving priority to educationally disadvantaged students, including those from low-income families, in their annual lotteries.

move it

Colorado
August 22, 2017

First girls, now boys: A look inside Denver’s newest single-gender, athletic-focused charter school

The Boys School of Denver is one of five new schools opening this fall in Denver Public Schools.

How I Teach

Colorado
August 21, 2017

For this Denver AP English teacher, success means students who push against the status quo

A Denver teacher talks about why she sees teaching as an act of social justice, what she hands out on the first day of school and how her favorite lesson unfolds.

Big gains

Colorado
August 18, 2017

No. 1: This Denver turnaround school had the highest math growth in Colorado

The school also had the eighth-highest growth on state English tests.

'tough conversations'

Colorado
August 18, 2017

These seventh-graders started the school year talking about Charlottesville and what they can do about racism

Mirroring conversations happening nationwide, a group of Denver seventh-graders this week delved into a discussion about the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.

Shrinking gaps

Colorado
August 17, 2017

Denver Public Schools posts record gains on latest state tests

The academic growth was driven by low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities and English language learners.

data dump

Colorado
August 17, 2017

Colorado state test scores inch up, but wide socioeconomic gaps remain

Three years after Colorado introduced new, more demanding standardized tests, student performance statewide is slowly ticking up, according to data released Thursday. Most students…

grant money

Colorado
August 16, 2017

Denver charter Compass Academy wins $2.5 million to ‘reimagine high school’

The money is from the XQ Institute's Super School Project, an initiative backed by Laurene Powell Jobs.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SCHOOL DAY

Colorado
August 15, 2017

Colorado schools make plans to view — and teach — the solar eclipse

Schools throughout Colorado are setting aside time for students to view the eclipse, which is expected to reach 92.3 percent totality over Denver.

feeling blue

Colorado
August 10, 2017

New “education quarterback” organization to invest philanthropic dollars in Denver

Blue School Partners is set to launch in October.

split decision

Colorado
August 4, 2017

Denver teachers union, members of progressive wing diverge on key school board races

The Denver teachers union and a caucus within the union are split over who to support in two competitive school board races that could…

Fighting hunger

Colorado
August 4, 2017

No more cheese sandwiches: Denver restores hot lunches for students in debt

This year, DPS students in debt will still have access to hot lunches as the district resolves payment issues.

improvement efforts

Colorado
August 2, 2017

After years of stagnation, Colorado’s innovation schools see breakthrough in improvement, data show

The quadrupling of schools that improved could bolster backers of giving schools greater decision-making authority, an experiment playing out across the nation.
Colorado
August 1, 2017

Teach for America’s Tameka Brigham joins Denver Public Schools as chief of staff

Most recently, Tameka Brigham was managing director of research for Teach For America,

How I Teach

Colorado
July 31, 2017

For this Denver civics teacher, American history — warts and all — provides inspiration for changing the world

A Denver civics teacher talks about how her students change the world through civic projects, why she loves meeting parents and what celebrity coined her favorite advice.

Extra sleep

Colorado
July 21, 2017

Two Colorado districts shift to later high school start times — for very different reasons

The Greeley-Evans school district in northern Colorado will join the Cherry Creek district in suburban Denver in adopting later high school start times this fall.

out of the running

Colorado
July 20, 2017

Denver school board candidate Jo Ann Fujioka withdrawing from at-large race

She said she’s ending her candidacy because two other candidates backed out of running with her as a slate.

Rallying cry

Colorado
July 19, 2017

At DeVos protest, opponents seek to tie Trump education appointee to Denver school board

“In November, we have the opportunity to take our school board back!” one rally speaker said.

the race is on

Colorado
July 12, 2017

Barbara O’Brien has three challengers for her DPS board seat so far — and one almost pulled a big upset two years ago

Robert Speth narrowly lost to incumbent Happy Haynes in 2015.

job protections

Colorado
July 11, 2017

Fewer teachers losing tenure in Denver, other large Colorado districts

Twenty-one Denver teachers received their second consecutive less-than-effective rating in 2016-17.

State of the City

Colorado
July 10, 2017

Could a modest summer bus pass program for youth help unlock Denver’s bigger student transportation problems?

The pilot project will put 1,500 cash-loaded transit passes in the hands of Denver young people between 14 and 19.

new use

Colorado
June 30, 2017

Denver’s shuttered Gilpin Montessori school will temporarily house programs serving students with special needs

Two of the programs are run by DPS. The third is run by a Denver nonprofit.

Tough talk

Colorado
June 29, 2017

Denver teachers union’s strategy for this year’s contract negotiations: Go big

“If we never ask for it, it’s never going to happen," one union leader said.

'Each One Teach One'

Colorado
June 28, 2017

This Denver program is tackling the literacy gap. Trump’s budget proposal puts it at risk.

Each One Teach One targets the 30-million-word gap with intensive literacy training, art and outdoors activities such as biking and gardening.

'a bit stuck'

Colorado
June 27, 2017

Impasse declared in Denver teacher contract negotiations, prompting criticism from union

The declaration means the two sides will continue negotiations but with the aid of a mediator.

Changes

Colorado
June 21, 2017

As Denver gentrifies, which neighborhoods are losing public school students?

The number of students in the Highland neighborhood who attend a DPS school dropped 21 percent from 2010 to 2015.

BARRIERS TO ACCESS

Colorado
June 21, 2017

Public transportation won’t solve Denver’s school choice woes, study finds

Only 58 percent of students could get to a top-rated middle or high school in 30 minutes or less by public transit.

discipline decision

Colorado
June 20, 2017

Denver’s student discipline policy will limit suspensions and expulsions in early grades

The changes will take effect for the coming school year.

the choice

Colorado
June 19, 2017

Denver school board picks district-run programs to take over low-performing schools

In a rare split vote, the Denver school board voted 6-1 to place the Montbello Children’s Network at Amesse Elementary.

Difficult choice

Colorado
June 12, 2017

Denver schools chief backs community panel’s pick to replace closing school

He's recommending that leaders of McGlone Academy take over struggling Amesse Elementary.

comings and goings

Colorado
June 12, 2017

Denver Public Schools chief of staff leaving for United Way

Chief of Staff Eddie Koen will leave his position in September after a year with the school district.

the choice

Colorado
June 8, 2017

Divided community panel picks district-run option over charter to replace closing Denver school

The plan submitted by McGlone Academy leaders was recommended in a 3-2 vote.

it's about relationships

Colorado
June 8, 2017

Former Denver administrator, now D.C. schools chief, on why connecting with students matters

A former Denver Public Schools administrator talked about the need to create school environments where students feel valued at a Thursday event in Denver.

‘strengthening neighborhoods’

Colorado
June 5, 2017

Gentrification is changing Denver’s schools. This initiative aims to do something about it.

A committee will make recommendations on how to drive racial and economic integration.

tall order

Colorado
June 5, 2017

Denver is trying to involve the community more in its school closure process. It hasn’t been easy.

"It’s going to be really hard to find community members who are interested in serving who don’t have a tie to the schools or to the applicants.”
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